Assistant secretary-general Joe Grillo said the union was not prepared to accept any restructuring exercises unless these are discussed with the union representatives prior to their introduction.

Mr Grillo said the collective agreement expired in September 2002 and workers were presently without an agreement.

He said the union will not accept that workers are assigned to work in the bar while at the same time other workers are laid off.

Finally, Mr Grillo warned that if the company brings any changes into force without prior consultation with the union, it will order industrial action, which will bring to a halt the company’s operations of the ferry service between Malta and Gozo.